SEELEY LAKE - Former Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) student Owen Mercado and his mother Deidre Lechowski-Mercado are suing the school and the Missoula County Public School District (MCPS) alleging that the school and its staff members were made aware of discriminatory behavior and were negligent in the handling of multiple harassment reports. MCPS largely denied that reports were made on the family’s part addressing discrimination that took place on school grounds.

The lawsuit was filed in Federal Court Jan. 21. Three students, a deputy county attorney and Internet service providers have...